Home Page for CMSC651 Analysis of Algorithms, Fall 2013

CMSC651 Analysis of Algorithms, Fall 2013

Instructor: Aravind Srinivasan
Class Venue and Time: CSI 2120, TuTh 11-12:15

Administrative Details

Instructor: Aravind Srinivasan
Office: AVW 3263, Phone: 301-405-2695
Instructor's office Hours: Tue, Thu 9-10AM in AVW 3263, or by appointment (please email Aravind)
Grader: Khoa Trinh (khoa AT cs.umd)
Course Time and Location: Tue, Thu 11-12:15, CSIC 2120
Course Webpage: http://www.cs.umd.edu/class/fall2013/cmsc651/index.html

The course will have good overlap with its Fall 2012 cousin. I thank Sanjeev Arora, Elad Hazan, and Neal Young for their help with background and exercises related to Arora-Hazan-Kale.

Course Goals

Our primary goals are as follows:

Use the standard class-format to:
1. teach the basics of algorithms, and
2. use an "inverted classroom" format where students will do some assigned reading/work at home, with related problem-solving (e.g., HW solutions) done in class.
Expose the students (in the HWs and in class) to different models such as parallel, multi-core, online, and distributed computing, large data-sets & streaming data, and MapReduce-like programming models.
Foster independent and group-based learning via a semester-long reading and problem-solving project: students will read portions of Welzl's notes and the Arora-Hazan-Kale survey.
Encourage participation and the airing of ideas: 5% of the class credit will be for introducing oneself and having a technical discussion during office hours.

Topics, Schedule, and Online Resources

Please click here for a lecture-by-lecture schedule and online resources (notes and videos).

Grading, Homework, and Exams

The grading will be as follows -- students will form groups of typical size three for the first two items below:

Homework based on class material: 30% (your lowest HW score will be dropped)
Homework based on Welzl's notes and on the Arora-Hazan-Kale survey: 15%
Free discussion is strongly encouraged; students will receive 5% credit for coming to Aravind's office hours before the end of October to discuss class-related material.
Take-home mid-term: 20%

Emailed on Oct 18th, due in class on Oct 22nd
Will include everything covered in class and given as required reading up to (and including) Oct 15th, as well as Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Welzl's notes

In-class final exam, 8-10AM on Dec 16th in our classroom: 30%
- The final covers all of the course, Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Welzl's notes, and up to the end of Section 3.1 in Arora-Hazan-Kale
- Students can bring their own notes, Welzl's notes, Arora-Hazan-Kale, and all the material assigned as reading ("required" or not) in class

Homework and Mid-Term

Homework 1, due Sept 17th.
Homework 2, due Sept 26th.
Homework 3, due Oct 8th.
Homework 4, due Oct 17th.
HW based on Welzl's notes, due Nov 7th.
Mid-Term, due Oct 22nd.
Homework 5, deadline extended to Nov 7th.
Homework 6, due Nov 21st.
Homework related to AHK, due Dec 12th.

Course Evaluation

Students are strongly encouraged to complete their course evaluations; please do so at the CourseEvalUM website.

Excused Absences

See the university's policy on medically-necessitated absence from class. The "Major Scheduled Grading Events" for this course are the mid-term and final exams; students claiming an excused absence from these events must apply in writing and furnish documentary support (such as from a health-care professional who treated the student) for any assertion that the absence qualifies as an excused absence. The support should explicitly indicate the dates or times the student was incapacitated due to illness. Self-documentation of illness is not itself sufficient support to excuse the absence. An instructor is not under obligation to offer a substitute assignment or to give a student a make-up assessment unless the failure to perform was due to an excused absence.

Academic Accommodations for Disabilities

Any student eligible for and requesting reasonable academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide, to the instructor in office hours, a letter of accommodation from the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) within the first two weeks of the semester.

Academic Integrity

The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.studentconduct.umd.edu.

To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment)."

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